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We just heard that we have also been approved by the DNA. That part seems to go very quickly. It seems as though the referral step is taking quite a while for everyone. I wonder if they don't have enough social workers to handle the work load.
With more and more families starting Panama dossiers all the time, it's only going to get worse. I hope for our sakes, theirs and the children's, that they can figure out a way to streamline the referral process.
Good luck to everyone, and hoping to see some travel dates for someone soon!
Joan
We are also in the waiting process for referrals, but received some semi-good news this week from our agency.
Apparently our agency has three families with referrals already in various stages of the court system and is anticipating travel dates fairly soon. They have another eight families on the list with approved dossiers waiting for referrals. We are one of those eight families, I just don't know where on the list. Apparently, our coordinator is hoping to match referrals to some of those on the list before the end of January. Our agency says that the wait for referrals is 1-4 months and we have been waiting for over two months- so, we could be one of those families, or the families ahead of us would receive referrals and we could move up. Either way, it's a positive development.
It could also be interesting because we have said we would accept "two under two" so if those families above us want babies, we might move quicker if toddlers become available. But, I've given up on the whole analyzing thing and feel like each child is destined for a certain family, so our children will come into our lives at just the right time. At least thinking like this keeps me sane!
It's been awhile since referrals were discussed and my memory is not what it used to be.... how many, what gender, what age is everyone requesting?
Kirsten
Our paperwork has been in Panama and approved since August 15. We have not rec'd a referral and we are doing a private adoption. I am being told that we should not expect a referral anytime soon. Panamaians get first dibs and evidently there are quite a few on the list. I have watched this board for several months and have been quite interested in sharing what my lawyer tells me to what the agencies are telling you. I am surprised that people are saying they are getting referrals and then losing them. If the agencies are following the correct system down there, there would not be a way you could get a referral and then lose a referral. You are not allowed to have a referral until the child has been declared abandoned and also the DNA has matched you with that child. I see alot of descrepancies!! It will interesting to see how this all plays out. I have 2 friends who are also doing private, one completed a Panama adoption just a year ago. IT took her forever on her first one and she too is not expecting a referral anytime soon. Also, the chances of getting a baby under 1 year is highly unlikely with the current system unless you know someone pregnant down there and are planning on living down there for around 8 to 9 months until the paperwork is done and that is in a best case scenerio.
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We have been waiting for a referral as well. We were approved by the DNA on November 28th. Reading posts like the one from ILOVEKIDS scares the heck out of me. Our agency (WP) is also telling us 2 to 4 months for referral. However, I wonder if that is true.
How do you plan your lives? We are going to take a week vacation in March. I would like to believe that we would have a referral by then but who knows.
Does anyone know a timeline from a completed adoption?
I am sorry if I made you nervous or upset you, that was so not my intention. We have already been thru the adoption arena before, we have a child from Guatemala. OK, let me pose it a different way. I know there are people who have had their paperwork down there for awhile. Mine has been down then what almost 5 months. How many people HAVE gotten a referral with a picture and medicals AND gotten a travel date on a referral from an agency??? I don't know of any but what one, from like Feb?? I just don't think the agencies know the "whole" picture or are telling the whole story. I dont think Panama is going to be the next Guatemala. WE are fine with the wait most of the time, sometimes it gets old. But everyone needs to realize this is a NEW program. Look at how many kids have come home on R3 or 4 visa's, very few. If this was going to be a FAST and EASY program agencies would have "sapped" into it years ago. I think I read another post on Dec 30 where someone went there to see their child and pretty much said the same thing I am saying. We have even thought about changing countries. The lawyer we have won't even commit to WHEN we MIGHT get a referral. I guess until someone gets a referral and brings a child home we will never know. BUT I would rather know the truth up front (long wait for referral) than to be told a lie and expect a speedy process. I wish everyone a FAST and wonderfual adoption experience!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not here to be the kill joy!! :) I don't think Panama has a timeline either. I would just plan on doing what you want to do until you hear something. You can't let life pass you by while you wait!! :cool:
I am wondering if some of the discrepancies are due to terminology we are all using. For example, when it is stated that infants are available - that is a loaded sentence even though it looks straightforward. Does it mean the child is an infant at the time of referral? or the time of adoption completion? or neither? And then what does infant mean? I think we are all quoting what we have heard but most of time I am unclear as to what EXACTLY is being conveyed.
I am also wondering if the time frame questions regarding referrals depends on at what point the child is in the process when the prospective parents are notified to be able to compare apples to oranges. I know at what point the child is SUPPOSE to be at when referrals are offered, but maybe that isn't so. And, is the time when people are notified different for agencies and private adoptions?
I am interested in seeing if people working with agencies receive referrals at a different rate. We all know that we give the country humanitarian aid and that agencies support/contribute to orphanages. Does this make a difference? Are they more in the front lines so they "match" behind the scenes and then advocate for paperwork to be completed?
I know we all want to believe that there is a "system" and that it is black and white - and feeling stupid because we can't decode it all. My theory is that the system is grey and will be for quite some time so it is not worth the energy to figure it out. I think the key thing is to ask A LOT of questions at the time of referral about the status of the child and then what are steps that need to be completed before the adoption is completed.
I guess we all question and speculate, especially when there is no history for the programs.
Jane
Agency: CAI
working on dossier
I am certainly not trying to project that I am an expert at this and hope I do not come across that way. I do know that it is true, some agencies have given referrals to children who are not yet abandon, therefore causing "disrupted" adoptions. There are agencies though that only refer abandon children, which you are over the most difficult part if they wait until the child is abandon to refer. Because the government adoptions are so new, they are very interested in each and every parent. Unlike Guatemala which I feel has learned to have a speedy process, but also has learned we will pay ungodly amounts of money to bring those children home. Panama is a safe bet, but now that more parents are going there it obviously will take longer. The new government that is predicted to win the elections has a keen interest in the adoption process and from what is being said is that they are willing to put more employees into the process to speed the process up. It is a process that is difficult at times to endure, but in the end so worth it. Ysabella is thriving and is such a blessing to our family. Keep the faith!
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